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September 1, 2000 — Improved weather conditions through the Labor Day weekend will give fire fighters throughout the western United States the best break they've had in more than two months. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and rain in some areas are expected, according to forecasters with NOAA's National Weather Service.

However, fire concerns remain high in North Texas, Oklahoma and parts of Arkansas as near record high temperatures, very low humidity and drought conditions continue with no relief in sight. The number of fires has increased across this area during the past several weeks and burn bans are in place. Officials concerned about the potential for wildfires are asking campers to be extra careful during the holiday weekend.

A major upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest by Friday and combine with a system off the California coast, according to forecasters with the NOAA's Storm Prediction Center. This system will bring cool temperatures and scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies over the Labor Day weekend.

Areas in Idaho and Montana, where the fires have been the worst in the past month, began to see some relief on Wednesday as temperatures dropped and humidity increased in the area.

Some relief from drought conditions in the southeastern United States is expected, with a persistent upper level low increasing chances of rain during the next several days. Extremely hot temperatures are expected to continue in the southern and central Plains from Texas northward into Nebraska.

Relevant Web Sites
Updated forecast information is available on the home pages of local National Weather Service offices. These pages are organized by geographic regions of the country.

NOAA's Fire Weather Information Center

For additional information on the NOAA's Fire Weather Program, please visit NOAA's National Fire Forecasts, Offices and Outlooks, Boise, Idaho.

Latest NOAA Satellite Images of Fires

NOAA's NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTERS PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT TO WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT

All About Wild Fires

NOAA's Fire Weather Program (Describes wild fire weather terms)

Fire Weather Forecasts from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma

National Interagency Fire Center — Includes latest news and glossary of wildfire terms

Heat/Drought Awareness from NOAA's Office of Meteorology

Media Contact:
Patrick Slattery, NOAA's National Weather Service Central Region, (816) 426-7621, ext. 621, Marilu Trainor, NWS Western Region, (801) 524-5692 ext. 226, Ron Trumbla, NOAA's National Weather Service Southern Region, (817) 978-4613 ext. 140, Keli Tarp, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, at (405) 366-0451 or Curtis Carey, NOAA's National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622.